Rains in RS: Leite requests urgent air support; Lula says he made the government available

The governor of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Eduardo Leite (PSDB), asked, this Tuesday, 30, that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) immediately send all possible air support to the State, which has been facing strong storms since Monday, the 29th. The governor informed that the population of different municipalities is in an emergency situation due to the intense rains, which are expected to remain at least until the early evening of Thursday, the 2nd.

According to Leite, support has already been discussed and forwarded with the ministries of Defense, Regional Development and the Secretariat of Social Communication, in addition to having also been discussed with the vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB). However, according to the governor, the state continues to need more help.

About 30 minutes later, the president stated that he had already spoken by phone with Leite and that he had made the federal government available to the State. “I spoke with the Ministries of Integration, Defense and Minister Paulo Pimenta and, whatever is necessary, the federal government will join the efforts of the state government and city halls to get us through and overcome this difficult moment, reflected by climate change that affects the planet,” said Lula.

Also on social media, the minister of Secom, Paulo Pimenta, confirmed the federal government’s position regarding the state’s situation and said that Lula had advised to intensify the work that “has already been done since the beginning of the day of mobilization to rescue the affected families and guarantee humanitarian aid for those in need”.

Five people died due to strong storms in Rio Grande do Sul. Two deaths were recorded in the municipality of Paverama, in which one of the victims was a 69-year-old man who was trying to cross a flooded area by car and the vehicle was reportedly dragged by the strength of the current. Other deaths were recorded in Pântano Grande, Santa Maria and Encantado.

This Tuesday, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued a warning of great danger for RS and the south coast of Santa Catarina. The statement indicates the occurrence of rainfall accumulations exceeding 60 mm/h or above 100 mm/day. Furthermore, there is also a great risk of flooding and river overflows and landslides in cities with these risk areas.